Article : Mission very much complete thanks to ‘that’ match!

A few months back I asked if anyone knew of Ken Malley, or any of his travelling companions - sadly I was not able to be helped, but on one of the most fantastic days out watching Pompey that I can ever recall I was able to get hold of his contact details, now let the story unfold…

It all started in what proved to be an incredible match to see for your first match of the season, the 7-4 win over Reading - you do not get many of these to the pound do you.

To be honest the build up to the game was not that great, people kept dropping out which meant the original plan of going by the train had to be dropped and Graham decided that he would drive. The Friday night came and the two of us, along with Geoff - his mate, Daryl - my brother and Sue - his girlfriend and my sister-in-law to be were all definitely going that much we knew, with maybe at least one other joining us?

All was well until Saturday morning came round, Sue was struck down with illness over night, so at that point we were down to just the four of us - that I knew of - but we plodded on. As it turned out the other one who might have joined us didn’t decide to join us, they were out for whatever reason too, but the four of us were going, there was no turning back - this was meant to be were the thoughts, and how it was.

After a good journey, sharing stories with each other, despite a hold up which seemed to last forever we eventually managed to get to Fratton at around 2pm, so this was time enough for Daryl and I to have a traditional pre-match Monster Mick - you’ve just got to love those burgers! - and also catch up with our cousin and his friend, a long-term family friend, and both season ticket holders - they actually still sit in the same seats, which we all got as our season tickets some ten years ago. At around 2.30pm we decided we would head into the Fortress to sample the pre-match atmosphere, see if you don’t get to many games these days you make he most of it don’t you!

As for the match, what can you say? Fantastic does not do it justice it was simply incredible! It has been good watching it on DVD again several times since, but it just isn’t the same as being there, this is something that made the day all the more special, and something I will never ever forget.

The journey home was fantastic, again stories were swapped, disbelief at what we had just witnessed was the main talk on the agenda, then, not far from the time I was due to be dropped off - having already dropped off Daryl in Exeter - the subject turned to how I used to get to games, so I explained and Graham said he knew Ken, and that he had his mobile number, along with the numbers of another fella I used to go with - which didn’t actually exist anymore as it happens, but it just shows it is a small world doesn’t it, and is further proof that that day was indeed meant to be.

I have since sent Ken a text message, and got his email address and have been in contact with him.

So after about seven years of being out of touch with him all thanks to the best football club in the world Portsmouth, and the consequences that have occurred in my life due to it over the past year or so - starting with my work on Vital Pompey as a match reporter through to my current position as site editor, getting to know some of the sites members, and even meeting up with some, including Graham briefly at the Yeovil pre-season match and arranging back then to go with him to the Reading match - and I will without doubt go with him again, Everton is our next planned match - so many new doors have again been opened to me.

What a game that was, and thanks to ‘that game’ I have now been put in touch with a lost friend of seven years! Things happen for a reason, this is something I strongly believe in, even more so after this…

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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Article 1 of 2 : Hong Kong

The Pompey squad flies out to Hong Kong today in preparation for the Barclays Asia Trophy - which begins on Tuesday as Pompey kick off against a team that will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Not Liverpool, but Fulham - at least according to Diomansy Kamara.

As the pace of pre-season is moved forward a little more, we face Fulham at 11am UK time on Tuesday, with a match against either Liverpool or South China on Friday - 11am in the 3rd/4th play-off if we lose to Fulham or 1.15pm in the Final should we win - and I almost fully expect us to beat Fulham.

With a virtually fully fit squad heading off to Asia this should give us a little more indication of what we can expect this season as the standard of fitness should be improving and opposition is of a higher level, not being disrespectful to the challengers we have had so far during pre-season.

Heat and humidity will have an impact on the tournament, but at the same time should help with getting our fitness levels closer to the level we need.

One man almost certain to make his Pompey debut is the potential club record signing, depending on various extra costs that might be paid, is John Utaka - who had the final stamps made on his work permit last Friday.

When all is said and done this is still only pre-season, but this is the tournament that Pompey opted for ahead of the Intertoto Cup, which could have seen us into the UEFA Cup this season, so I hope we can do ourselves justice - and I am sure we will.

A good showing and ideally the winning of the trophy will raise our profile even more and help get us well into the Asian market, which as others know, including Liverpool, can be very profitable.

(VitalFootball)

Article : Moving Forward

Pompey's moves forward as a club continue with opening of the 6,500 sq ft club megastore in two weeks time - this megastore is four times the size of the previous club superstore.

It will carry a wide range of official club merchandise including the new kits and other club nick-nacks as well as fashion/leisurewear clothing.

The latter months of our 2006/07 season on the pitch were perhaps relatively disappointing but overall we still made a very big leap forward and this has continued off the pitch as it will continue to do so hopefully on it this season.

We are working on our training facilities; our youth system is taking shape, with former Forest star Ian Woan becoming the latest new addition to the youth team staff; we are the pioneers in a ground-breaking move using the latest high technology for our Canterbury manufactured kits; we have a brand spanking new Pompey Site with PFCtv in the pipeline - and even the Milton End is getting a roof!

In the biggest project of all (although this is something we have heard time and time again) we have what is looking like a highly impressive stadium to move into in 2011.

These are exciting times for Pompey and times that I had only dreamt about for many years during the rollercoaster of a journey supporting the club.

PLAY UP POMPEY!

(Vital Football)